Unless you’ve been struck with amnesia recently, then you’ll pretty familiar with Gotye, the man responsible for one of the most blindingly successful Australian songs of all time in his world-conquering duet with Kimbra, ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’.
You’re no doubt aware that the song found Gotye scooping awards ceremonies both locally, at last year’s ARIA Awards, and internationally, including the 55th Annual Grammys and most recently, the Billboard Music Awards. You’ll also know that he earned the nods for the highest selling single in America in 2012, one of the most downloaded songs ever in Britain, one of the most streamed songs of last year, while the bodypaint music video remains one of the most watched YouTube videos of all time, with over 400+ million views.
What you might not know is that Gotye is also the humble drummer for Melbourne cult rock band The Basics, and after globe trotting the world with a large troupe of musicians off the back of his ubiquitous hit, the man behind the internationally recognised moniker, Wally De Backer, is excited to be getting (excuse the pun), back to basics.
“It’s been a great challenge nutting out how to bring a large band, visuals and studio compositions together for the Gotye live shows over the last two years,” says the multi-instrumentalist of his recent tour commitments; “but right now I’m looking forward to getting sweaty behind the drums and playing rock ‘n’ roll in these fab clubs with my brothers Kris and Tim.” “Right now I’m looking forward to getting sweaty behind the drums and playing rock ‘n’ roll in these fab clubs with my brothers Kris and Tim.” – Wally De Backer, Gotye
That’ll be bassist/vocalist Kris Schroeder and guitarist/vocalist Tim Heath, or as all three are known in Ramones-like tradition – Tim, Kris, and Wally Basic. And after a three year hiatus, the Basics are reuniting to hit venues around the country this September and October.
The trio departed the live circuit in 2010, giving rise for the Gotye behemoth to brew, but earlier this year, reunion rumours began sparking over the release of two compilations, the Ingredients best-of, and the Leftovers rarities collection. Together, the two form an aural portrait of The Basics achievements thus far, collecting well over a decade of music from four studio albums, including singles ‘With This Ship’ and ‘Like A Brother’.
While Gotye’s efforts during the the three years downtime are well documented, Tim Basic was keeping busing working on The Rise And Rise Of Richard Latté and Kris Basic, simply on getting better, after suffering a bout of malaria.
“I think of this tour and every possibility that might come out of it as a sign from on high,” said the bassist from a Kenyan hospital in a news release. “The break has been very healthy for us (aside from the actual near-death experiences) – a good bit of time to focus on ourselves, build on our strengths and see this band of ours from the outside. Talking to Tim and Wally lately, it’s evident how this new perspective has got us all excited about where we might go next.”
Until their next creative destination, there’s their East Coast tour to contend with, bringing their grittier, rock live sound, as evidenced in latest single ‘So Hard For You’, to Australian fans; playing as part of the Brisbane Festival in September and alongside the likes of Boy & Bear, Xavier Rudd, and Blue King Brown at the 2013 Caloundra Music Festival in regional Queensland, as well as Hobart, Canberra, Castlemaine and Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory and Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club. Just have the common courtesy to not request ‘Somebody…’ if you catch them on tour.
The Basics 2013 Australian Tour Dates & Tickets
INGREDIENTS & LEFTOVERS TOUR 2013
Tickets on sale Wednesday June 12
Thursday 12 September
The Spiegeltent, Brisbane Festival
www.brisbanefestival.com.au // Qtix – 136 246
Saturday 21 September
Republic Bar, Hobart
www.moshtix.com.au
Thursday 26 September
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
www.theatreroyal.info // (03) 5472 1196
Friday 27 & Saturday 28 September
Northcote Social Club
www.northcotesocialclub.com // 1300 724 867
Thursday 3 October
Transit Bar, Canberra
www.moshtix.com.au
Friday 4 October
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
www.moshtix.com.au
Sunday 6 October
Caloundra Music Festival
www.caloundramusicfestival.com
